CAB80-8 — Page 320

Page 320

ENCLOSURE:

TELEGRAM FROM THE CHIEFS OF STAFF TO COMMANDERS-IN-CHIEF, MIDDLE EAST.

273

Following for Jones' Military Mission Beirut

for British Service representatives repeated to

Commanders-in-Chief in the Middle East, from the

Chiefs of Staff.

2.

3.

Reference

Your difficulties fully appreciated and it is, of course, most important that conversations should

not be allowed to break down.

4. The suggestion that the Allies should provide 20 divisions for the defence of Thrace, if

Italy were neutral, is new and obviously requires

most careful consideration in the light of the

resources likely to be available and our commitments elsewhere. We will take up this question with the French, but meanwhile, we are extremely doubtful

whether such a large force is necessary. it appear to us that it could either be deployed or

maintained in Thrace in addition to the Turkish

army.

50

Nor does

Reference to Turkish desire to discuss plans in

the event of Italian hostility. In the past we have

emphasised the necessity for first neutralising the Italian threat before any direct assistance could be

Page 320

Page 320

-1-

Page 320

Page 320Page 321